Shires of Virginia

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Eight Shires of Virginia were formed in 1634 in the Virginia Colony. Following a form of local government used in England, these shires were renamed as as counties a few years later. As of 2007, five of the eight original shires were considered still extant in the Commonwealth of Virginia in essentially their same political form, although some boundaries and several names have changed in almost 400 years.

[edit] History

In 1634, a new system of local government was created in the Virginia Colony by order of King Charles I of England. Eight shires were designated by the House of Burgesses, each with its own local officers. These shires were renamed as counties only a few years later. There were also several early name changes, notable Warrosquyoake, a Native American name with varied spellings became Isle of Wight, and Charles River County and the River of the same name each changed to York.

They were:

• Accomac Shire (now extinct)
• Charles City Shire (now Charles City County)
• Charles River Shire (now York County)
• Elizabeth City Shire (extinct)
• Henrico (now Henrico County)
• James City Shire (now James City County)
• Warwick River Shire (extinct)
• Warrosquyoake Shire now (Isle of Wight County)

Of these, as of 2007, five of the eight original shires are considered still extant in the Commonwealth of Virginia in essentially their same political (cvounty) form, although some boundaries and several names have changed in almost 400 years.

It is notable that by including in some the earlier names of the 4 "citties" [sic] (which had been created earlier in 1619) and then changing from "shire" to "county" in their names, the results have long been the source of some confusion. This is due to the seemingly contradictory names such as "James City County" and "Charles City County". (e.e., which is it, county or city? In Virginia, with the unusual status of independent cities to further confuse some, a locality can be one or the other, but cannot be not both).

• The oldest county, James City, which includes the location of the original 1607 settlement at Jamestown, apparently attempted to address the potential for confusion long ago, as the legal name is the "County of James City."

• In 1952, the citizens of the now-extinct "Elizabeth City County" voted to be consolidated with the independent city of Hampton. They also voted to assume the better-known and less cumbersome name of Hampton.